“Develop policy for safe work environment”: National Medical Commission issues notice to all medical colleges, institutions

New Delhi [India], August 13 (ANI): The National Medical Commission (NMC) under the directions of Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday issued an advisory to all medical colleges and institutions to develop a policy for a safe work environment.

According to the official public notice, “Incidents of violence against doctors in medical colleges have been reported in the recent past. All medical colleges are requested to develop a policy for a safe work environment within the college and hospital campus for all the staff members including faculty, medical students and resident doctors.”

“The policy should ensure adequate safety measures at OPD, wards, casualty, hostels and other open areas in the campus and residential quarters. Corridors and campus be well-lit in the evening for staff to walk safely from one place to another and all sensitive areas be covered by CCTV for monitoring,” it said.

The notice further said that adequate security measures including posting of adequate security staff (male and female) should be made available at the OPD, wards, casualty, labour rooms, hostels residential quarters and other open areas in the Medical College and Hospital campus.

“Any incident of violence against the medical students should be promptly investigated by the college management and an FIR should be lodged with the Police,” said the notice.

The public notice further said, “A detailed action taken report on any incident of violence should invariably be sent to the National Medical Commission (NMC) within 48 hours of the incident.”

This comes in the backdrop of the sexual assault and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda launched a sharp critique of the Trinamool government in West Bengal on Tuesday over the incident and expressed concern, saying that it is worrying that atrocities against women are increasing daily in the state, despite having a woman Chief Minister.

Nadda welcomed the Calcutta High Court’s decision to order a CBI investigation into the case.

The Union Health Minister also condemned the West Bengal government for allegedly trying to suppress the case.

Earlier in the day, Nadda met with a delegation from the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The IMA had requested a thorough inquiry into the circumstances leading to the crime and measures to enhance the safety of doctors, particularly women, in the workplace.

The post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

An investigation has confirmed rape and murder, with the victim’s body showing signs of a struggle.

The family has alleged that the victim was raped and murdered. The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday transferred the investigation into the case to the CBI.